“The yogi who practices Bhujanginimudra quickly destroys all gastric ailments.”
The verse: Gheranda Samhita 3.93
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Srisa Chandra Vasu translation (1915):
“This Serpent-mudra quickly destroys all stomach diseases, especially indigestion, dyspepsia, &c.”
About the text: Gheranda Samhita
The Gheranda Samhita is a Sanskrit hatha yoga manual, probably from the late 17th century, framed as the sage Gheranda teaching a student named Chanda. Its seven chapters set out a sevenfold yoga, from cleansing practices and postures to breath control, meditation and samadhi.
More from the Gheranda Samhita
- “The glorious Mayurasana turns to ash all excess, unwholesome food and digests lethal poison.”
- “Through practice of Bhujangasana, the physical fire increases steadily, all diseases are destroyed, and the Serpent Goddess awakens.”
- “Through pranayama, the yogi gets the ability to move through space; through pranayama, diseases are destroyed.”
- “In the resonance of the Bhramari sound, there is light, and in the light is the mind.”
- “When the mind comes into contact with something hot or cold, draw it back from there and bring it under control in the self.”
- “Stare at a small object without blinking until tears start to fall. The wise call this Trataka.”